Dataset Information

Menstrual health communication among Indian adolescents: A mixed-methods study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Research in health communication frequently views it as an information dissemination strategy, thus neglecting the intricacies involved in communicating a sensitive topic such as menstruation. The social patterning in menstrual communication, a taboo in India, and its consequent health-effects on adolescents are under-studied. METHODS:We studied the social determinants of menstrual communication influencing menstrual- health through semi-structured interviews of 21 boys and girls each, 12 key-respondent interviews, followed by a cross-sectional survey of 1421 adolescents from Nashik district, India. We thematically analysed the qualitative data and fit multivariable logistic regression to model risk ratios. FINDINGS:We found social disparities in adolescents' experiences of communication taboo regarding menstruation. While boys curbed their curiosity about the topic, girls too faced resistance to their experience-sharing and treatment-seeking for menstrual illnesses. The inequality in menstruation-related communication was evident as more boys than girls faced avoidance to their questions [IRR at 95%CI: 2.75 (2.04, 3.71)]], and fewer tribal than rural girls were communicated severe taboos (OR at 95% CI: 0.18 (0.09, 0.36))]. Girls who had been communicated severe (versus no/mild) taboos reported greater stress about menstrual staining (IRR at 95% CI: 1.31 (1.10, 1.57)], emphasizing the health consequences of such communication inequalities. CONCLUSIONS:Our study highlights the need to address gender and setting-specific communication experiences of adolescents in India, a patriarchal society. The inequality in communication needs attention as it creates unequal patterns in Indian adolescents' menstrual health and experiences, which may manifest as inequities in reproductive health-related outcomes even in their adult-lives.

SUBMITTER: Gundi M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6797238 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Menstrual health communication among Indian adolescents: A mixed-methods study.

Gundi Mukta M Subramanyam Malavika A MA

PloS one 20191017 10

<h4>Background</h4>Research in health communication frequently views it as an information dissemination strategy, thus neglecting the intricacies involved in communicating a sensitive topic such as menstruation. The social patterning in menstrual communication, a taboo in India, and its consequent health-effects on adolescents are under-studied.<h4>Methods</h4>We studied the social determinants of menstrual communication influencing menstrual- health through semi-structured interviews of 21 boys ...[more]

PMID: 31622407

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Project description:ObjectivesWhile integral to women's physical and mental well-being, achieving good menstrual health (MH) remains a challenge for many women. This study investigated the effectiveness of a comprehensive MH intervention on menstrual knowledge, perceptions and practices among women aged 16-24 years in Harare, Zimbabwe.DesignA mixed-methods prospective cohort study with pre-post evaluation of an MH intervention.SettingTwo intervention clusters in Harare, Zimbabwe.ParticipantsOverall, 303 female participants were recruited, of whom 189 (62.4%) were seen at midline (median follow-up 7.0; IQR 5.8-7.7 months) and 184 (60.7%) were seen at endline (median follow-up 12.4; IQR 11.9-13.8 months). Cohort follow-up was greatly affected by COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.InterventionThe MH intervention provided MH education and support, analgesics, and a choice of menstrual products in a community-based setting to improve MH outcomes among young women in Zimbabwe.Primary and secondary outcomesEffectiveness of a comprehensive MH intervention on improving MH knowledge, perceptions, and practices among young women over time. Quantitative questionnaire data were collected at baseline, midline, and endline. At endline, thematic analysis of four focus group discussions was used to further explore participants' menstrual product use and experiences of the intervention.ResultsAt midline, more participants had correct/positive responses for MH knowledge (adjusted OR (aOR)=12.14; 95% CI: 6.8 to 21.8), perceptions (aOR=2.85; 95% CI: 1.6 to 5.1) and practices for reusable pads (aOR=4.68; 95% CI: 2.3 to 9.6) than at baseline. Results were similar comparing endline with baseline for all MH outcomes. Qualitative findings showed that sociocultural norms, stigma and taboos around menstruation, and environmental factors such as limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities affected the effect of the intervention on MH outcomes.ConclusionsThe intervention improved MH knowledge, perceptions and practices among young women in Zimbabwe, and the comprehensive nature of the intervention was key to this. MH interventions should address interpersonal, environmental and societal factors.Trial registration numberNCT03719521.

Project description:IntroductionThe importance of menstrual health has been historically neglected, mostly due to taboos and misconceptions around menstruation and androcentrism within health knowledge and health systems around the world. There has also been a lack of attention on 'period poverty', which refers to the financial, social, cultural and political barriers to access menstrual products and education. The main aim of this research is to explore menstrual health and experiences of period poverty among young people who menstruate (YPM).Methods and analysisThis is a convergent mixed-methods study, which will combine a quantitative transversal study to identify the prevalence of period poverty among YPM (11-16 years old), and a qualitative study that will focus on exploring menstruation-related experiences of YPM and other groups (young people who do not menstruate (YNM); primary healthcare professionals; educators and policy-makers). The study will be conducted in the Barcelona metropolitan area between 2020 and 2021. Eighteen schools and 871 YPM will be recruited for the quantitative study. Sixty-five YPM will participate in the qualitative study. Forty-five YNM and 12 professionals will also be recruited to take part in the qualitative study. Socioeconomic and cultural diversity will be main vectors for recruitment, to ensure the findings are representative to the social and cultural context. Descriptive statistics will be performed for each variable to identify asymmetric distributions and differences among groups will be evaluated. Thematic analysis will be used for qualitative data analyses ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Several ethical issues have been considered, especially as this study includes the participation of underage participants. The study has received ethical approval by the IDIAPJGol Research Ethics Committee (19/178 P). Research findings will be disseminated to key audiences, such as YPM, YNM, parents/legal tutors, health professionals, educators, youth (and other relevant) organisations, general community members, stakeholders and policy-makers, and academia.

Project description:BackgroundDesigning health communication interventions for global scaling promotes health literacy and facilitates rapid global health messaging. Limited literature explores preferences for animation prototypes and other content characteristics across participants in different global regions. Prior research underscores an urgent need for health communication interventions that are compelling and accessible across culturally and geographically diverse audiences. This study presents feedback from global learners on animation design preferences and other key considerations for the development of educational video content intended for global adaptation and scaling.MethodsWe used a mixed-methods, sequential explanatory design, with a qualitative descriptive approach to the analysis of the qualitative data. We recruited participants from an international group of learners enrolled in a massive open online course. Through an online quantitative survey (n = 330), we sought preferences from participants in 73 countries for animation design prototypes to be used in video-based health communication interventions. To learn more about these preferences, we conducted in-depth interviews (n = 20) with participants selected using maximum variation purposive sampling.ResultsGenerally, respondents were willing to accept animation prototypes that were free of cultural and ethnic identifiers and believed these to be preferable for globally scalable health communication videos. Diverse representations of age, gender roles, and family structure were also preferred and felt to support inclusive messaging across cultures and global regions. Familiar-sounding voiceovers using local languages, dialects, and accents were preferred for enhancing local resonance. Across global regions, narratives were highlighted as a compelling approach to facilitating engagement and participants preferred short videos with no more than two or three health messages.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that global learners may be willing to accept simplified visuals, designed for broad cross-cultural acceptability, especially if the content is localized in other ways, such as through the use of locally resonating narratives and voiceovers. Diverse, inclusive portrayals of age, gender roles and family structure were preferred.

Project description:BackgroundAlthough adolescents are highly vulnerable to mental health challenges, they receive little attention, especially in developing countries. We investigated the mental health difficulties (MHDs) faced by adolescent students in four senior high schools in Ghana, their coping strategies and support systems.MethodsIn this convergent mixed-methods study, quantitative data was obtained using validated strengths and difficulties questionnaire to assess the mental health of 405 adolescents. Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interview with 18 teachers and seven focused group discussions with 35 students. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) for MHDs were estimated through ordinal logistic regression in Stata 14.2. Qualitative data was analyzed inductively and deductively using ATLAS.ti 7.1.ResultsOver half (58.5%) experienced peer (20.5%), emotional (16.3%), conduct (13.3%) and hyperactivity (3.0%) problems, whereas 5.4% exhibited prosocial behaviours. MHDs were associated with females (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.47-3.50), bullying (OR = 1.72, CI: 1.07-2.75), domestic violence (OR = 1.87, CI: 1.10-3.17), substance abuse (OR = 8.14, CI: 1.41-46.8), academic pressure (OR = 2.40, CI: 1.30-4.42) and self-perceived poor school performance (OR = 7.36 CI: 2.83-19.16). Qualitatively, we identified financial challenges, spiritual influences, intimate relationships, bullying, and domestic violence as the main themes attributed to MHDs. Coping strategies included isolation, substance use and spiritual help. The main school-based support system was the guidance and counselling unit, but there were complaints of it been ineffective due to trust and confidentially issues, and non-engagement of qualified counsellors.ConclusionsAs many triggers of MHDs emanate in schools, we need mental health-friendly school environments where trained psychotherapists head counselling centres. We propose incorporating mental health education into school curricula and generating surveillance data on adolescent's mental health.

Dataset Information

Menstrual health communication among Indian adolescents: A mixed-methods study.

Publications

Menstrual health communication among Indian adolescents: A mixed-methods study.

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